Topsy-Turvy

12/15/19992h 40m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ Gilbert & Sullivan & So Much More ~

Overview:

After their latest production, "Princess Ida", meets with less-than-stunning reception, Gilbert and Sullivan's relationship is strained to the breaking point. Their friends and associates attempt to get the two to work together again, which bares the path to "The Mikado", one of the duo's greatest successes.

Director:

Mike Leigh

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$10,500,000.00

Revenue:

$7,804,439.00

Key words:

london, england
prostitute
musical
biography
cigar smoking
drink
lyricist
exhibition
playing piano
19th century

Cast

Jim Broadbent

~ as ~

W. S. Gilbert

Allan Corduner

~ as ~

Sir Arthur Sullivan

Timothy Spall

~ as ~

Richard Temple (The Mikado)

Lesley Manville

~ as ~

Lucy Gilbert

Ron Cook

~ as ~

Richard D'Oyly Carte

Wendy Nottingham

~ as ~

Helen Lenoir

Kevin McKidd

~ as ~

Durward Lely (Nanki-Poo)

Shirley Henderson

~ as ~

Leonora Braham (Yum-Yum)

Dorothy Atkinson

~ as ~

Jessie Bond

Martin Savage

~ as ~

George Grossmith

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

Peter McGinn
Written 4 year(s) ago
7
I particularly like most of Mike Leigh’s movies, so it is surprising that I took so long to get around to watching Topsy Turvy. A few of his films are on my list of favorite films out there, but sadly this effort did not threaten to crack that list. Not that I didn’t enjoy it overall. It was entertaining and fun, though it hovered on minor scenes sometimes on its way to lasting two hours and forty minutes. And it was interesting to see how the Gilbert and Sullivan characters worked together, assuming it is somewhat accurate portrayal of the actual historical duo. Finally, it features four of my favorite British actors: Lesley Manville, Timothy Spall (who disappears into the role of the Mikado), Alison Steadman and Jim Broadbent.

One element that kept me from enjoying the movie even more was the tendency for the characters to mutter to each other when conversing. I turned up the volume at those times, which not only failed to solve the problem completely, but then when the scene changed into one of the great choruses from the Mikado, it blasted me out of my seat. Then I’d turn it down, wait and repeat.

So I cautiously recommend watching Topsy Turvy, especially if you like understated British movies, or for that matter, The Mikado.